Central nervous system and spinal cord tuberculosis: Revisiting an important disease

Tuberculosis is a worldwide pandemic. Estimated that about 25% humans are colonized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and about 1% are believed to develop the infection in the central nervous system (CNS-TB). Given the importance of this disease and its high levels of morbidity and mortality, it is imperative that every radiologist must be reminded of the most common findings of CNS-TB as there are several related differential diagnoses for this disease. The most common form CNS-TB is tuberculous meningitis (TBM), characterized mostly by basal meningitis, but infarction, hydrocephalus and tuberculomas could be present. Intracerebral tuberculosis is characterized by tuberculomas that can have different imaging features according to their stage. Vascular and spinal complications of tuberculosis are also reported. This review compiles the classic and unusual findings regarding CNS-TB together with new diagnostic scores in which neuroimaging have an important role.

Automated summary

Tuberculosis is a global pandemic, with an estimated 25% of humans colonized by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Common manifestations of CNS-TB include tuberculous meningitis and intracerebral tuberculosis, which can present with features such as basal meningitis and tuberculomas. Radiologists should be familiar with the common findings of CNS-TB and related differential diagnoses.